Most household appliances look very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and therefore running costs.
Here you will understand all you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Best Boca Raton Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is using reduced energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your home so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy conserving household appliances are created to give equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less power usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are in comparison to other similar household appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy first point of call when figuring out if a device is electricity saving or not.
Types of Low Energy Devices
Some different types of energy efficient household appliances include:
- Refrigerators
- Air Conditioners
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Low Energy Household Appliances work
Energy efficient devices work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to maximize efficiency. That might look like superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.
Benefits of Electricity Efficient Appliances
Choosing electricity saving household appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less resources it requires to undertake its task. Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although lower energy devices are likely to have a bigger ticket price they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Fuel Security. With energy prices constantly rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing less energy intensive devices is a more sustainable option.
Do Energy Conserving Devices Actually Reduce Bills?
Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your electricity bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new devices, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the device you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy it needs to run the bigger the possible savings. For example replacing an broken, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, will make a marked impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a much smaller impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less.
You also have to ensure you understand your appliances energy saving settings to get the greatest reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.
When examining new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will ensure you make the prime decision for you.
How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Planet
Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.
The things we do have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of oil and gas that appear to be linked to air pollution and climate change.
As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to allow for an quickly understandable way for people to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.
Certified products must meet both power efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to quality and attributes.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to gain the star mark, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base design in their class.
However, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient might get the rating. Thus although looking out for the star is a good place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before making your final choice.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?
Low energy household appliances really do make a impact on an individual and national level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.
Next time you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to contrast brands and models.
You’ll also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only need the second one during the holidays
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine multiple times is less efficient than running a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the best boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s two times the size you need for your home.
Appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.